Alumni & Friends
The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) at The University of Iowa provides unique entrepreneurial educational opportunities and support for students, faculty and Iowans of all ages.
Since its inception in 1996, JPEC has benefited from outstanding leadership from past directors, strong support from the University and the deans from the Colleges of Business, Engineering, and Medicine, and active participation from a cadre of experienced entrepreneurs and business leaders. JPEC has created an innovative, life-long learning program designed to meet the specialized needs of aspiring entrepreneurs. We believe the continuous development of entrepreneurs is vital to the long-term economic health of Iowa and the U.S.
Whether you earned a Certificate in Entrepreneurship, completed the FastTrac entrepreneurial training program, or participated in one of our youth programs, we are committed to providing ongoing support and educational opportunities to you. In addition, we seek your participation and input as we continue to grow our program and develop the next generation of successful entrepreneurs and leaders.
After graduation, Zac Voss spent several months sailing the coast of Europe. During his travels he saw great potential for starting a business distributing Red Bull Energy Drink in the state of Iowa. Using skills learned in entrepreneurship classes, Zac wrote a business plan for Voss Distributing and was awarded the exclusive distributorship for Red Bull Energy Drink statewide. Located in Des Moines, Voss Distributing has been in business since 2000, has 18 full-time employees, and sales continue to grow.
Zac Voss, UI BBA in Finance 2000 with coursework in Entrepreneurship. As a supporter of entrepreneurial initiatives at The University of Iowa, Zac recently contributed financial support to the Bedell Entrepreneurship Learning Laboratory, helping UI students gain access to resources and assistance for starting businesses.
Photo courtesy of Duane Tinley.